The Two-Day Italian Market Festival Hits South Philly This Weekend

Calling all cannoli lovers…cheese fiends, charcuterie enthusiasts or general food-curious folks! The 9th Street Italian Market Festival throws down this weekend with tons and tons of tasty eats.

• The two-day festival runs May 21-22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., rain or shine.
• Nearly 100 food, drink and artisan vendors will set up booths outside.
• The action spans 8 city blocks along 9th Street, from Fitzwater to Wharton streets.
• The festival celebrates the nation’s oldest continuously operating market (100+ years!)
• A family fun zone, a dog-designed play area, music and other entertainment will also fill the streets.

Find signature Italian dishes and other food options from around 30 area merchants and street-side vendors set to fill the eight-block festival. Drinks, music, games and more will also help to keep this bustling neighborhood more alive than ever.

The festival, honoring the nation’s oldest continuously operating outdoor market, welcomes 70,000-plus visitors each year and remains an annual Philly favorite.

As one of the city’s most popular block parties, the entire neighborhood directs their attention towards the festival for the weekend. Tons of vendors and local businesses set up booths along 9th Street, which will be closed to traffic from Fitzwater to Wharton streets.

The eateries and businesses that line the Italian Market will also open their doors and plenty of crafters and artisan vendors will flock to the area.

A family fun zone will be set up at 9th and Montrose streets, as will a “Wish Wall” containing wishes made during Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia.

New this year, a pet area designed especially for your pooch can be found near 9th and Christian streets, and a main music stage will host DJs and live acts at 9th and Washington streets. Three other performance stages will be set up at various locations throughout the festival.